See what's new at the Dr. Walter A. Griffin Playground

Thursday

Aug 10, 2017 at 11:42 AMAug 10, 2017 at 11:42 AM

By Paula Vogler, Correspondent

After being closed in the winter and spring, the Dr. Walter A. Griffin Playground officially reopened with ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 8. More than 100 parents, children, grandparents and town officials turned out to celebrate.

Although there was music, free face-painting and ice cream, the hit of the evening was the playground itself. Children buzzed around scrambling on, through, around and over many of the brightly colored pieces of equipment.

In addition to new swings and new climbing structures, an updated version of the iconic and ever-popular pirate ship that called the Ames Street playground home since it was first opened years ago beckoned children to climb aboard.

“My daughter loves it,” Stephanie Wood said. “She loves all these new structures. It seems way safer now. We love coming here. I think they did a great job.”

Celine Bernier, 7, was a regular playground attendee and turned out to celebrate its reopening.

“It’s better than the other one,” Celine said.

The park will soon have a Gaga dodgeball pit, a new ADA-compliant water fountain, a safety net between the softball fields and playground and a resurfaced and painted basketball court.

Thanks to Girl Scout Troop 74037, there is also a Little Free Library on the grounds to take, leave, and share books.

“I do hope the children of Sharon and their parents take pride in this project, protect it and most importantly have fun,” Recreation Director Linda Berger said at the dedication.

The playground was closed in January after town officials determined there were numerous safety concerns that needed to be addressed. The New Friends of the Playground dismantled reusable equipment and materials and salvaged two spring-riders, a set of baby swings, multiple tables and benches.

The Friends and the Recreation Department secured a $221,000 grant from the town’s Community Preservation Committee at last year’s annual Town Meeting, which provided the money to purchase equipment and upgrade the playground.

Results of a survey of community members sent out by the Friends group revealed what was most important to residents who frequented the playground. Swings, slides and climbers are the most-used pieces of equipment, according to the survey.

People also wanted an expanded seating area, a pavilion and a splash park, among other things. Those upgrades could be in the future for the park, according to Berger.

Selectman Joe Roach Jr. recalled spending his younger years at the playground when it hosted weekly cookouts, had a camp run by the town and Griffin donated all the equipment.

“We’d come here at 8 o'clock in the morning and stay until 4 o'clock in the afternoon,” Roach said. “So many generations have had pleasure down here.”

Rick Schantz of the Recreation Advisory Committee called the playground “another jewel in the crown of Sharon’s outdoor recreation sites.”

“We’ll do our best to maintain the facility,” Schantz said. “With the CPC funds, we have a little more flexibility to go and do stuff in a timely way.”

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